All About Remote Control Helicopters
Ever since I was little I was interested in remote control vehicles and toys. Remote control helicopter amazed me the most. They can fly like an airplane plus they can do many things an airplane could only dream of, like hover. Remote control helicopters can do all of these things as well just like the real thing. The more advanced remote helicopters can even do maneuvers real helicopters can not do.
With all the different directions and abilities of a helicopter what is there not to love? A real life helicopter is definitely out of reach for most people so what is the next best thing? A remote control one of course. Well as I found out remote control helicopters can be quite expense and very hard to learn to fly. They are complex and technological advanced aircrafts.
Now that was 20 years again. Remote control technology has come a long way in those 20 years and it has also gotten a lot more affordable. Remote control helicopters have gotten more affordable as well. There are also a lot of different options available now and some of them are even beginner friendly.
Micro helicopters are small usually 2-channel remote control helicopters. These are toys which everyone and every skill level can enjoy. They are not capable of all the functions of a real helicopter but they are inexpensive and very easy to fly. They are great for beginners.
The next type of remote control helicopters are coaxial helicopters. Coaxial means the helicopter has two main rotors. These two rotors spin in opposite directions. This eliminates the need for a tail rotor. These remote control helicopters are usually either 3 or 4 channels and are capable of all the functions of a real helicopter except 3D flight and inverted flight. The main advantage of coaxial remote control helicopter is they are more stable than helicopter with tail rotors and they are easier to fly. These are not toys so do take them seriously. You can get complete ready to fly kits for less than $200.
Next up are 4-channel fixed pitch remote control helicopters. These are a step above coaxial helicopters. They are capable of everything a coaxial helicopter is and are one step closer to a full blown 6-channel 3D remote control helicopter. Now a real helicopter has what is called collective pitch on the main rotor. This means the pitch of the main rotor blades changes. This change in pitch is what allows the helicopter to move up and down. On a fixed pitch helicopter the pitch of the main rotor is fixed hints the name. A fixed pitch helicopter goes up and down by adjusting the speed at which the main rotor is rotating. Fixed pitched remote control helicopters are easier to fly because you have one less channel and control to worry about.
Next up are full blown remote control helicopters. These have up to 6 channels of controls and can be very difficult and expense to learn to fly and maintain. But do not let that discourage you. It is very rewarding learning to fly a 6-channel remote control helicopter. It will take time, patient and money but the results are definitely worth it. They can fly completely inverted and do some amazing 3D maneuvers. They can even do things a real life helicopter could only dream of.
Filed under: Computers & Technology